AI in Manufacturing: Reigniting Momentum Amid Complex Realities 

Thursday, September 11, at 2:30 PM ET | 11:30 AM PT

Roundtable Summary

Manufacturing CIOs are under constant pressure to drive AI initiatives that improve productivity, quality, and resilience – but macroeconomic headwinds, fragmented data, and skepticism are slowing momentum and clouding the ROI of AI investments. Evolving policy, economic uncertainty, margin pressures, and workforce disruption are forcing CIOs to justify every dollar spent. However, AI use in predictive maintenance, intelligent scheduling, and supply chain optimization demands more investment, increased clarity, and measurable returns.

Manufacturing CIOs are grappling with many questions around the state of AI adoption today. Are we in a strategic pause or entering a new phase of pragmatism? What AI projects are gaining traction despite the headwinds and why? How can we balance technical ambition with cost control, legacy systems, and organizational readiness? 

Join this dynamic roundtable for a focused discussion and practical strategies for moving AI forward amid complexity. 

  • Where AI is delivering real impact in manufacturing today and where it’s not.
  • How peers are securing AI budgets in cost-constrained environments.
  • What strategies are helping navigate data quality, system integration, and talent limitations.
  • How AI fits into broader enterprise strategies in plant, supply chain, and back-office operations.

Roundtable Speakers

 

 

Steve Schmidt

Senior Managing Partner

  • Steven has over 40 years in the IT, engineering, operational technology, and construction industries. He is an executive with broad experience in business technology and information technology (including cybersecurity, strategy, innovation, architecture, service management, infrastructure & operations, engineering, and the modern workplace) supporting the durable goods manufacturing, transportation & logistics, and construction industries.

 

Shreyas Shukla

Principal Research Director

  • Shreyas Shukla is an experienced supply chain professional with a management consulting background. His area of expertise includes supply chain strategy, operations and digital transformation. Shreyas operates at the intersection of business and technology, is a certified project management professional specializing in agile delivery models, and has delivered projects spanning process reengineering, digital roadmap development, product evaluation, large platform implementation, custom software development, operating model, change management, and industry maturity models.

  • Prior to joining Info-Tech, Shreyas worked on critical initiatives in supply chain, technology and emerging platforms for manufacturing clients from the automotive, transportation, consumer goods, food & beverage, mining and retail sectors, globally. Shreyas holds an MBA from the SP Jain School of Global Management with a specialization in IT Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from the College of Engineering, Anna University.

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